Coldeanseagull
Opinionated
As title so can the hive mind of NSC recommend a local company?
[Technology] Solar Panel Installation Recommendations
- Thread starter Coldeanseagull
- Start date
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Official Old Man
Uckfield Seagull
Don't know, but the house behind mine is east facing and someone has sold them a roof full of panels that see the sun for an hour or two a day.
RandyWanger
Je suis rôti de boeuf
They do not need direct sunlight to work.
227 BHA
Well-known member
Sussex Solar in Southwater highly recommended
https://sussexsolar.com/
https://sussexsolar.com/
227 BHA
Well-known member
No, if you’re happy with them producing a fraction of their potential production.
If you want them to work to their full potential you want a due south facing roof with a 30-35° pitch
worthingseagull
Well-known member
- Sep 28, 2011
- 1,612
If you are thinking of 'leasing' them rather than buying them outright, and you wish take equity release or sell your property in the future, you or the new buyer may encounter some mortgage issues.
RandyWanger
Je suis rôti de boeuf
Which my house is and my installation has paid for itself. But to the point above, they don't need to be in direct sunlight.
Sussex Energy Advisors https://sussexenergyadvisors.co.uk were very good when they installed my panels 7 years ago. Based in Eastbourne.
Justice
Dangerous Idiot
Solar reminds me of car chargers being a sparks I was told Solar the next big thing car chargers the same neither have took off to the levels expected. In Spain 100% worth it this country is it really worth the investment?
- Jul 5, 2003
- 1,494
We'll that depends really, as I have 6 south facing panels and 4 West facing panels. From Spring til Autumn the west facing ones start generating usable energy from about 1120 through to 2000, even though the sun disappears behind next doors roof at around 1730. East facing ones would be similar, just all the energy is produced in the morning hours.
Hudson Hawk
Active member
I am thinking about this but wondering whether you're better off getting an air source heat pump rather than solar.
I have heard that the annual maintenance for the panels can be high and life span due to technological advances effects them too?
Any one researched this before buying before?
I have heard that the annual maintenance for the panels can be high and life span due to technological advances effects them too?
Any one researched this before buying before?
nicko31
Well-known member
Not in Brighton area but recently booked a company for install. Happy to share what I've learnt so far
- Jul 5, 2003
- 1,494
Had mine in two years now and not cleaned them and performance hasn't been affected. Neighbour down the road has had them in for 10 years or so and not had a problem either. Solar tech like any other improves all the time, but not in huge leaps that'll make systems obsolete anytime soon. As long as all the gubbins works you'll be generating electricity, saving money on your bills and getting paid for exporting it. If at some point panels are so much better than the ones you have, just swap them out, they're relatively cheap (£150 a panel) it's all the installation costs that the bulk of the expense.
Miximate
Well-known member
Used PDP Services in Burgess Hill. Very good!
nicko31
Well-known member
Heat pumps can work if you have enough space they're pretty big. You'll need oversized radiators and/or underfloor heating from what I've read. Maybe gets some batteries and then you can run the pump with off peak elec off the battery. Better still add on a few solar panels and the batteries will be VAT free.
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Daddies_Sauce
Falmer WSL, not a JCL
- Jun 27, 2008
- 883
We have 7 South facing panels and 4 East facing, these are all that we had room for on each roof space, and have been installed for 18 months. I have records of every days generation by each panel.
I'm happy with the amount the 4 east panels have generated. Our ROI with the higher unit costs is now around 5 years ( we were projecting around 8 at install)
What maintenance have you been advised the panels require? (we've done none!), yes they get covered in dust, and the odd seagull poo but that soon washes off with the rain and does not noticeably impact performance.
Most panels are now expected to last 25 years
How is a panels life span impacted by technological advances?
I'm happy with the amount the 4 east panels have generated. Our ROI with the higher unit costs is now around 5 years ( we were projecting around 8 at install)
What maintenance have you been advised the panels require? (we've done none!), yes they get covered in dust, and the odd seagull poo but that soon washes off with the rain and does not noticeably impact performance.
Most panels are now expected to last 25 years
How is a panels life span impacted by technological advances?
Hudson Hawk
Active member
My dad bought a house in 2021 with panels that were installed in 2011, he keeps having to get people out to repair. The original installers have washed their hands of it due to some clause.
I'm not stating facts, just experience and am grateful of others experiences with them so I can make a decision.
nicko31
Well-known member
My inlaws have had them for a decade with a thumping 48p FIT and they've never missed a beat. In the early days I think some of the inverters weren't the best but things have improved.
beorhthelm
A. Virgo, Football Genius
- Jul 21, 2003
- 36,015
a heat pump is going to cost you money to run, its marginally cheaper than other forms of electric heating. its not an alternative to getting solar to generate power.